Custom Blade Signs for Seattle-Area Businesses | Signarama Redmond

Why Blade Signs Work — and How to Get Yours Right If you’ve walked through Downtown Snohomish lately, you may have spotted one of our favorite recent projects: a crisp, circular blade sign for New Ground Counseling’s Child Therapy Clinic on Union Ave. A hand-drawn house icon, clean off-white background, bold circular lettering — warm, professional, and readable from half a block away. That’s a blade sign doing exactly what it’s supposed to do. What Is a Blade Sign? A blade sign (also called a projecting or perpendicular sign) mounts flat against a building and extends outward toward the street. Foot traffic moves parallel to buildings — meaning a standard flat facade sign is invisible until you’re right in front of it. A blade sign faces the direction people are actually walking. Why They Work • Visibility from a distance. Pedestrians and slow-moving traffic spot a blade sign from half a block away — often before they can see your address or storefront. • Brand personality at street level. Unique shapes — like the circular disc we built for New Ground — stand out from boxy rectangular signs and signal intentionality. • Small footprint, big impact. Ideal for businesses with limited facade space, especially in historic downtown corridors like Snohomish’s. • Works day and night. Pair with accent lighting for after-hours visibility. Actionable Tips Before You Order 1. Check your local sign code first. Most cities regulate projection distance, minimum ground clearance (typically 8 ft for pedestrian clearance), and max square footage. Pull your permit before fabrication — not after. 2. Design for 3 seconds at 20 feet. Less text. Bigger icon. Bold contrast. If it takes more than a glance, simplify. 3. Match the sign to the brand feeling, not just the logo. New Ground’s soft off-white and hand-drawn aesthetic perfectly reflects a welcoming child therapy practice. Your sign should feel like you. 4. Choose the right material. Aluminum composite is durable and weather-resistant for the PNW. HDU and PVC are great for routed or dimensional looks. Your sign shop should specify based on your wall substrate and mounting conditions. 5. Plan the bracket as part of the design. Hardware finish, bracket style, and wall attachment all affect the final look — don’t treat it as an afterthought. Shout Out to New Ground Counseling Big props to the team at New Ground Counseling’s Child Therapy Clinic in Downtown Snohomish. The design was intentional, the brief was clear, and the result speaks for itself on the street. If you’re a healthcare or wellness practice looking to make your space feel more approachable and professional, this is exactly the kind of signage that does both. Ready to Make Your Mark? Whether you need a blade sign, monument sign, window graphics, or a full exterior branding package — Signarama Redmond serves businesses across Redmond, Bellevue, Kirkland, Snohomish County, and the Greater Seattle Metro area. 📍 Contact Signarama Redmond today for a free consultation on your next custom business sign.